Golf ball retrieving apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A ball retrieving apparatus comprises a housing having a convexed surface, a concaved surface and an aperture. The aperture and concaved surface are for accepting the ball such that the concaved surface of the housing conforms to the convexed outer surface of the ball. A pliable member is secured to the housing for obstructing a portion of the aperture in the housing. The pliable member has an aperture smaller than the aperture in the housing. A sufficient force can be applied to the housing remote from the pliable member to cause the ball to displace the pliable member sufficient for the ball to pass through the smaller aperture in the pliable member to be secured in a chamber defined by the concaved surface of the housing and the pliable member. In yet another embodiment, a method for retrieving a golf ball using a golf club is provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to retrieving a ball or other object. Particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method of retrieving and securing a golf ball. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices which allow a person to pick up a golf ball without requiring the person to bend over or squat down.

BACKGROUND

Golf is an extremely popular activity with millions of people participating in golf on a regular basis. An average golfer bends over many times during a round of golf. Bending over poses a major problem for many golfers due to an assortment of reasons and medical conditions. For example, golfers experience, or may experience, pain in their back, hips and/or knees in stooping or bending from a standing position. Thus, such golfers would have difficulty in playing golf. Further, the golfing population has an increasing number of seniors and handicapped golfers who find it difficult to stoop or bend from a standing position. Due to such varied and sundry reasons, many of these golfers have little choice but to play less golf, or to quit playing golf all together.

Devices must be adaptable to golfers of all ages, of all skill levels and of all levels of physical abilities. Desirable features are particularly suited to scramble play and play by persons lacking the physical dexterity to comfortably perform all of the required activities associated with bending or squatting which must be repetitively performed during each round of golf. Additionally, features of devices should allow persons currently hesitant or even unwilling to participate in golf due to physical limitations to participate and enjoy golf by eliminating the requirement of repetitive bending over or squatting down during play.

Scramble play typically involves two or four players with each player making a shot from the tee. Subsequent to these shots all of the players make each successive shot from the location of the best played golf ball in the scramble group. Therefore, each of the other golf balls must be picked up from the ground and transported to the location of the best positioned golf ball and repositioned thereat for subsequent play from that location. Typically, scramble players utilize a golf cart with two players riding during each round. Many players will drive their golf cart adjacent to each of the golf balls to be picked up and then lean out of the golf cart and pick up the golf ball from the ground with his or her hand rather than getting out of the golf cart and bending over or squatting down to retrieve the golf ball. This leaning out practice is dangerous and has been known to cause accidents where persons have fallen out of the golf cart including the occurrence of such accidents where serious injury has resulted.

Often golf shots result in placement of golf balls in locations where the golf ball is visible to the player but where retrieval of the golf ball is inconvenient, dangerous or simply impossible. Examples of such locations include down steep inclines, under heavy low lying branches of trees and in bodies of water. Often golf balls in these situations may be retrieved if the player has access to a retrieval device with sufficient extension capabilities and an engagement device capable of engaging the golf ball. Typically, such retrieval devices are specifically designed to act to retrieve golf balls from a long distance and are awkward or inconvenient to use for routine retrieval tasks where the player is standing near or directly over the golf ball.

Various devices are known in the art to allow for retrieval of golf balls from the ground or from a water hazard. These devices may be employed while the player stands over the golf ball in close proximity to the golf ball or where the player stands a substantial distance from the golf ball. Several of these devices are versatile in that they permit use either at close range or at a substantial distance from the golf ball. Various methods are known in the art to provide for extension of a pick up device from a transport orientation to a deployed orientation where the deployed orientation has a length sufficient to permit a standing user to utilize the pick up device at a relatively great distance from the object being picked up and several of these methods have previously been employed for golf ball retrieval devices. Generally, the devices known in the art for golf ball retrieval are complicated devices which often rely upon a surrounding jaw type engagement of the golf ball during the act of retrieval.

As can be seen, various attempts have been made to provide for manipulation of golf balls and associated golf accessories during the play of golf. These attempts have been less efficient than desired. As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a golf ball pick up device which is simple in design, is simple to use and which may function in various situations.

It is, therefore, a feature of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for retrieving a ball without bending or stooping.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized by means of the combinations and steps particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY

To achieve the foregoing objects, features, and advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, an external object library to control an animation timeline such that the interactivity by the user on the animation is enhanced so as to provide better control of the animation by the user is provided.

A ball retrieving apparatus is provided. The ball retrieving apparatus comprises a housing having a convexed surface, a concaved surface and an aperture. The aperture and concaved surface are for accepting the ball which has a convexed outer surface such that the concaved surface of the housing conforms to the convexed outer surface of the ball. The ball passages through the aperture. Also, provided is a pliable member secured to the housing for obstructing a portion of the aperture in the housing. The pliable member has an aperture smaller than the aperture in the housing. When the pliable member is engaged with the ball a sufficient force can be applied to the housing remote from the pliable member to cause the ball to displace the pliable member sufficient for the ball to pass through the smaller aperture in the pliable member. Thus, the ball is secured in a chamber defined by the concaved surface of the housing and the pliable member.

Further ball retrieving apparatus has a mechanism for removeably engaging the ball retrieving apparatus with a golf club. Also, the mechanism for removeably engaging the ball retrieving apparatus with a golf club can be a plug engaged with the ball retrieving apparatus such that the plug can be removeably accepted in a recess in the golf club. Still further, the mechanism for removeably engaging the ball retrieving apparatus with a golf club may be a screw engaged with the ball retrieving apparatus such that the screw is removeably accepted in a recess in the golf club. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various and sundry devices may be adapted to accomplish this feature of the present invention.

Also, the ball retrieving apparatus may have one or more additional apertures smaller than the ball receiving aperture. The additional apertures are for pushing the ball out of the chamber through the larger aperture in the pliable member.

Still further, the ball retrieving apparatus can be adapted to accept a plurality of balls. And, the ball retrieving apparatus can have a mechanism for connecting the ball retrieving apparatus to another structure like a golf bag.

In yet another embodiment, a method for retrieving a golf ball using a golf club is provided. The method for retrieving a golf ball using a golf club comprises several steps. First, the golf club is engaged with a ball retrieving apparatus. By way of example, the ball retrieving apparatus may be a receptacle and an elastic diaphragm. The receptacle includes an aperture larger than the cross section of the ball to be retrieved and the elastic diaphragm includes an aperture smaller than the cross section of the ball to be retrieved. The ball is engaged with the elastic diaphragm for aligning the curvature of the ball with the aperture in the elastic diaphragm. Pressure is applied to the receiving apparatus for pushing the ball through the aperture in the elastic diaphragm. Thus, the ball is received in the receptacle. Thereby, the ball is secured in a chamber defined by the receptacle and the elastic diaphragm. And, the ball is retrieved from the chamber via the aperture in the elastic diaphragm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of one embodiment of the ball retrieving apparatus of the present invention with cross-sectional aspects.

FIG. 2 is an plan view of the ball retrieving apparatus of the present invention with cross-sectional aspects as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of another embodiment of the ball retrieving apparatus of the present invention with cross-sectional aspects.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of yet another embodiment of the ball retrieving apparatus of the present invention with cross-sectional aspects.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a connector assembly for use with the ball retrieving apparatus of the present invention with cross-sectional aspects.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a restraining strap for use with the ball retrieving apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart defining the method for retrieving a golf ball using a golf club of the present invention.

The above general description and the following detailed description are merely illustrative of the generic invention, and additional modes, advantages, and particulars of this invention will be readily suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention as described in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of one embodiment of the ball retrieving apparatus 100 of the present invention with cross-sectional aspects. The ball retrieving apparatus 100 comprises a housing 200 and an elastic member 300. The housing 200 comprises a convexed exterior surface 202 and a concaved interior surface 204 in a hemispherical configuration. Extending from the convexed exterior surface 202 and the concaved interior surface 204 is a straight, cylindrical surface 206. Also, one or more apertures 208 are associated with the convexed exterior surface 202, the concaved interior surface 204 and the straight, cylindrical surface 206. A large aperture 210 is defined by the extremity of the straight, cylindrical surface 206. In the present embodiment, a lip 212 is formed around the perimeter of the extremity of the straight, cylindrical surface 206. The elastic member 300 has a straight, cylindrical surface 306 and a flexible member 302 having an angular relationship there between. In the present embodiment, the angular relationship between the straight, cylindrical surface 306 and the flexible member 302 is 90°. The straight, cylindrical surface 306 has a notch 312 at the angle of the straight, cylindrical surface 306 and the flexible member 302. The notch 312 of the elastic member 300 is provided to engage the lip 212 of the housing 200 to secure the elastic member 300 to the housing 200.

Also, illustrated in FIG. 1 is the plug 400 at the remote end of the housing 200 from the aperture 210. The plug 400 has a engagement portion 402, an expanded portion 404, a tapered portion 406 and a tip 408. The plug 400 provides for removeably engaging the ball retrieving apparatus 100 with another article, such as by way of example, a golf club.

FIG. 2 is an plan view of the ball retrieving apparatus of the present invention with cross-sectional aspects as illustrated in FIG. 1. The housing 200 is illustrated with the convexed exterior surface 202 and the concaved interior surface 204 with the hemispherical surface shown. A plurality of apertures 208 are illustrated with the convexed exterior surface 202 and the concaved interior surface 204. The large aperture 210 is remote from the convexed surface 202.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of another embodiment of the ball retrieving apparatus 100 of the present invention with cross-sectional aspects. The plug is replace with a screw mechanism 500 at the remote end of the housing 200 from the aperture 210. The screw mechanism 500 has a engagement portion 502, a tapered portion 506 and a tip 508. The screw mechanism 500 provides for removeably engaging the ball retrieving apparatus 100 with another article, such as by way of example, a golf club.

In FIG. 3, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 200 comprises a convexed exterior surface 202 and a concaved interior surface 204 in a hemispherical configuration. Extending from the convexed exterior surface 202 and the concaved interior surface 204 is a straight, cylindrical surface 206. Also, one or more apertures 208 are associated with the convexed exterior surface 202, the concaved interior surface 204 and the straight, cylindrical surface 206. A large aperture 210 is defined by the extremity of the straight, cylindrical surface 206. In the present embodiment, a lip 212 is formed around the perimeter of the extremity of the straight, cylindrical surface 206. The elastic member 300 has a straight, cylindrical surface 306 and a flexible member 302 having an angular relationship there between. In the present embodiment, the angular relationship between the straight, cylindrical surface 306 and the flexible member 302 is 90°. The straight, cylindrical surface 306 has a notch 312 at the angle of the straight, cylindrical surface 306 and the flexible member 302. The notch 312 of the elastic member 300 is provided to engage the lip 212 of the housing 200 to secure the elastic member 300 to the housing 200.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of yet another embodiment of the ball retrieving apparatus 600 of the present invention with cross-sectional aspects. The ball retrieving apparatus 600 comprises a housing 200 and an elastic member 300. The housing 200 comprises a convexed exterior surface 202 and a concaved interior surface 204 in a hemispherical configuration. Extending from the convexed exterior surface 202 and the concaved interior surface 204 is a long, straight, cylindrical surface 606. Also, one or more apertures 608 are associated with the ball retrieving apparatus 600. A large aperture 210 is defined by the extremity of the straight, cylindrical surface 206. In the present embodiment, a lip 212 is formed around the perimeter of the extremity of the straight, cylindrical surface 206. The elastic member 300 has a straight, cylindrical surface 306 and a flexible member 302 having an angular relationship there between. In the present embodiment, the angular relationship between the straight, cylindrical surface 306 and the flexible member 302 is 90°. The straight, cylindrical surface 306 has a notch 312 at the angle of the straight, cylindrical surface 306 and the flexible member 302. The notch 312 of the elastic member 300 is provided to engage the lip 212 of the housing 200 to secure the elastic member 300 to the housing 200.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a connector assembly 700 for use with the ball retrieving apparatus 100 of the present invention. The connector assembly 700 comprises a hemispherical member 702 and a retaining washer 706. The hemispherical member 702 and the retaining washer 706 are held together by an angled extension 704 from the hemispherical member 702 engaging an indentation 708 in the retaining washer 706. The retaining washer 706 has a pliable aperture 710 for removeably receiving the plug 400 or the screw mechanism 500 of the ball retrieving apparatus 100 for securing the connector assembly 700 to the ball retrieving apparatus 100.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a restraining strap 800 for use with the ball retrieving apparatus 100 of the present invention. The restraining strap 800 comprises a strap 802, a hook 804 and a crimp 806.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart defining the method for retrieving a golf ball using a golf club of the present invention. The method for retrieving a golf ball using a golf club comprises several steps. First, the golf club is engaged with a ball retrieving apparatus. By way of example, the ball retrieving apparatus may be a receptacle and an elastic diaphragm. The receptacle includes an aperture larger than the cross section of the ball to be retrieved and the elastic diaphragm includes an aperture smaller than the cross section of the ball to be retrieved. The ball is engaged with the elastic diaphragm for aligning the curvature of the ball with the aperture in the elastic diaphragm. Pressure is applied to the receiving apparatus for pushing the ball through the aperture in the elastic diaphragm. Thus, the ball is received in the receptacle. Thereby, the ball is secured in a chamber defined by the receptacle and the elastic diaphragm. And, the ball is retrieved from the chamber via the aperture in the elastic diaphragm. In the simplest embodiment, the steps are:

-   -   (a) engaging the golf club with a ball retrieving apparatus, the         ball retrieving apparatus comprising a receptacle and an elastic         diaphragm, the receptacle comprising an aperture larger than the         cross section of the ball to be retrieved and the elastic         diaphragm comprising an aperture smaller than the cross section         of the ball to be retrieved,     -   (b) engaging the ball with the elastic diaphragm for aligning         the curvature of the ball with the aperture in the elastic         diaphragm,     -   (c) applying pressure to the receiving apparatus for pushing the         ball through the aperture in the elastic diaphragm,     -   (d) receiving the ball in the receptacle,     -   (e) securing the ball in a chamber defined by the receptacle and         the elastic diaphragm, and     -   (f) retrieving the ball from the chamber via the aperture in the         elastic diaphragm.

Additional advantages and modification will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and the illustrative examples shown and described herein. Accordingly, the departures may be made from the details without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed general inventive concept. 

1. A ball retrieving apparatus comprising: (a) a housing having a convexed surface, a concaved surface and an aperture, the aperture and concaved surface for accepting the ball having a convexed outer surface such that the concaved surface of the housing conforms to the convexed outer surface of the ball upon passage through the aperture, and (b) a pliable member secured to the housing for obstructing a portion of the aperture in the housing such that the pliable member has an aperture smaller than the aperture in the housing, such that when the pliable member is engaged with the ball a sufficient force can be applied to the housing remote from the pliable member to cause the ball to displace the pliable member sufficient for the ball to pass through the smaller aperture in the pliable member and be secured in a chamber defined by the concaved surface of the housing and the pliable member.
 2. The ball retrieving apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising a mechanism for removeably engaging the ball retrieving apparatus with a golf club.
 3. The ball retrieving apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein the mechanism for removeably engaging the ball retrieving apparatus with a golf club is a plug engaged with the ball retrieving apparatus which plug is removeably accepted in a recess in the golf club.
 4. The ball retrieving apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein the mechanism for removeably engaging the ball retrieving apparatus with a golf club is a screw engaged with the ball retrieving apparatus which screw is removeably accepted in a recess in the golf club.
 5. The ball retrieving apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising another aperture smaller than the ball receiving aperture adapted for pushing the ball out of the chamber through the aperture in the pliable member.
 6. The ball retrieving apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the housing is adapted to accept a plurality of balls.
 7. The ball retrieving apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising a mechanism for connecting the ball retrieving apparatus to another structure like a golf bag.
 8. A method for retrieving a golf ball using a golf club comprising the steps of: (a) engaging the golf club with a ball retrieving apparatus, the ball retrieving apparatus comprising a receptacle and an elastic diaphragm, the receptacle comprising an aperture larger than the cross section of the ball to be retrieved and the elastic diaphragm comprising an aperture smaller than the cross section of the ball to be retrieved, (b) engaging the ball with the elastic diaphragm for aligning the curvature of the ball with the aperture in the elastic diaphragm, (c) applying pressure to the receiving apparatus for pushing the ball through the aperture in the elastic diaphragm, (d) receiving the ball in the receptacle, (e) securing the ball in a chamber defined by the receptacle and the elastic diaphragm, and (f) retrieving the ball from the chamber via the aperture in the elastic diaphragm. 